Certify up to scratch in Fillies’ Mile
What was more interesting was bookmaker reaction to the four-and-a-half-length victory, with Coral offering the unbeaten daughter of Elusive Quality at just 6-1 for next year’s 1000 Guineas but Ladbrokes instantly making her a far more conservative 12-1.
Certify was entitled to take her first Group One as she did, but caution from the Harrow firm could have been drawn from the Godolphin’s previous winners, as last year’s scorer Lyric Of Light was almost pulled up on her only subsequent start in the Guineas, and 2010 star White Moonstone never ran again.
Trainer Mahmood Al Zarooni sought encouragement from the fact Certify’s success was far more clear-cut than that of stablemate Lyric Of Light and it never looked as if she was being asked for maximum effort.
Not helped by a distinct lack of pace, Mickael Barzalona allowed the 4-6 favourite to stride on with a furlong remaining and left the others fighting for the places, with Harry Dunlop’s Roz scooping second.
“She was a bit excited before the race which is not normal,” said Al Zarooni.
“She has run four times and I think that’s enough for her now.
“She was in front a long time and a faster pace would have helped - she was a bit keen.
“I think we’d prefer to put her away for next season. She’s a lady and we should look after her.
“I can’t say for 100% if she’s better than Lyric Of Light but she has won by four lengths and I think Lyric Of Light only won by a head.
“I think she will stay further than a mile but the 1000 Guineas will be her first target.”
Sheikh Mohammed’s other trainer, Saeed Bin Suroor, completed a solid day for the team when Australian recruit Retrieve (5-2 favourite) justified warm market support in the Listed Aqlaam Godolphin Stakes.
“He likes this ground and he has improved a lot,” said Bin Suroor.
“There are no plans, but we will look for a Group race either here or abroad. I expect he will go to Dubai in the winter.”
Ralph Beckett already has his mind set on an exotic destination for Waterway Run after her brave half-length win in the Sakhee Oh So Sharp Stakes.
Sent off the 5-2 favourite, Beckett’s filly was reversing recent July course nursery form with runner-up Light Up My Life.
“She’ll go straight for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies’ Turf, she was nominated for it as a foal,” the trainer said.
“She is a tough filly and the ground was a shade on the soft side for her.”
On a female-weighted afternoon, there was the opportunity for Chigun (5-1) to gain some priceless black type in the Listed Mawatheeq Rosemary Stakes, although Tom Queally was desperate for the line as 11-4 favourite Thistle Bird whittled her advantage down to a neck.
Henry Cecil’s assistant, Mike Marshall, said: “I think the owner (Ibrahim Araci) would like to put her away now. She has plenty of scope and he’s going to keep her in training.”
Penitent (10-1) has epitomised a season which has continued delivering for David O’Meara as he returned to form in the Nayef Joel Stakes.
As well as lifting the competitive Great St Wilfrid and Portland handicaps with other horses, the young trainer has managed the commendable feat of improving Penitent from William Haggas’ care, as this was his second Group Two victory of 2012 after the bet365 Mile at Sandown.
Danny Tudhope stuck obstinately to the far rail, finding himself in front with a couple of furlongs remaining but managing to last home by a neck from the thrusting Side Glance.
